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SIREN has a vision of a new America where immigrants are valued, integrated, and seen as essential to our society, and where the human rights of all persons are protected and honored. SIREN’s core value is immigrant empowerment. We focus on immigrants themselves being the primary agents of change. By strengthening and deepening the participation level and leadership of immigrants, we work toward long-term systemic changes that promote social justice and equality, freedom from oppression, and an end to poverty. Through these long-term systemic changes, immigrants will have the opportunity for individual/social responsibility, self-determination and political participation. By accomplishing this, we will have a society that is compassionate, inclusive and united.

More than 300 organizations urge Supreme Court to lift injunction in case of U.S. v. Texas

SIREN has signed onto an amicus brief filed on March 8 by a diverse coalition of 326 immigrant, civil rights, and social service groups in United States v. Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court case that will review the President’s administrative relief programs for those who would qualify for Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

The amicus brief urges the Supreme Court to lift the injunction that was put in place by a Texas federal district court and upheld by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. The brief states that “[i]f the injunction is lifted, many families will be more secure, without the looming threat that loved ones will be deported at a moment’s notice.”

The brief outlines how implementation of the administrative relief programs would benefit the lives of American families and millions of people who contribute significantly to local communities. It also provides concrete examples of parents and individuals who would be able to further strengthen our communities and economy if the temporary programs were to take effect.

In advance of the April 18th oral arguments, impacted community members and advocates, business and faith leaders, elected officials, law enforcement and educators also filed a series of briefs this week demonstrating the strong support for the DAPA and DACA+ programs (see press release below). Santa Clara County and the City of San Jose were among the 118 cities and counties who signed onto the Mayors, Counties, and Localities amicus brief.

SUPREME COURT AMICUS BRIEFS FILED: BAY AREA ELECTED OFFICIALS, LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS, COMMUNITY ADVOCATES RALLY SUPPORT TO HAVE THE SUPREME COURT UNFREEZE DACA+ AND DAPA

Ahead of April 18th oral arguments, advocates, business leaders, elected officials and eligible DACA+/DAPA recipients demonstrate strong support for President Obama’s executive actions

San Francisco, CA - Yesterday, local advocates and business leaders across the Bay Area signed on to amicus briefs filed in U.S. v. Texas, the Supreme Court case that will determine the fate of President Obama’s executive actions on immigration - and will affect the lives of millions of undocumented immigrants and American families. In a show of solidarity, brief signatories and supporters of the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA+) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) programs noted the positive impact that they will have for our country, and the ways in which the implementation of the programs will improve the lives of immigrants who are already living in the U.S. and contributing to our economy and to our communities.

"The County of San Mateo is proud to support members of our community who would greatly benefit from President Obama’s executive action on DAPA, in addition to expanding DACA. These programs allow individuals to feel confident in their everyday lives, be reunited with their families, and work to strengthen our economy. Every person deserves an opportunity to improve their overall quality of life, make positive contributions to society, and achieve the American Dream." – Warren Slocum, President, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors

"Life for my family is complicated and unpredictable. My wife and I are often kept up at night worrying if tomorrow we will be separated from our family. Work is never stable; our rent went up an extra $300 per month at the beginning of the year but we can’t seek better jobs due to our status. Having relief like DAPA would ease the stress and fear on our family as we can work here in the country we call home legally and not have to worry about being separated.” – Eliseo Aceves, DAPA-eligible immigrant leader, Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN). Available to Press (Spanish only) at: Jeremy Barousse, jeremy@siren-bayarea.org.

“This is a step in the right direction for the California business community. Our state continues to thrive because we recognize the valuable role immigrants play in our economic, cultural and civic life. Roughly a quarter of undocumented immigrants eligible for these programs live in California. By allowing them to come out of the shadows and work legally, we will make our communities safer while increasing state and local revenue by $845 million. DACA and DAPA make our communities stronger and more prosperous, and that is why the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce urges the Supreme Court to uphold these commonsense immigration programs.” – Jim Lazarus, Senior Vice President for Public Policy, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce

"The dearth of qualified technical talent remains the primary impediment to the technology industry reaching its full potential and creating the most innovative solutions that benefit America and the world. The need and market for great talent is effectively infinite, and the more we are able to bring down barriers (such as lack of legal status) that currently prevent great technologists from joining us, the more effective our attempts to accelerate human progress will be. Our business and others would benefit from extending the opportunity to work legally to all qualified and law-abiding individuals, regardless of citizenship status." – Justin Rosenstein, co-founder and Head of Product, Asana. Available to Press at: Emilie Cole, emilie@asana.com.

“While falling short of a permanent legalization option, expanded DACA and DAPA are nonetheless critical steps toward creating a more inclusive society for millions of immigrant individuals and families who have made our country their home. At the same time, the impact in California would extend beyond immigrant families to benefit our entire state. Studies estimate that the availability of these programs would generate 130,000 new jobs in California alone, support public programs with $3.8 billion in new taxes annually and lift many thousands of California children out of poverty.” – Sally Kinoshita, Deputy Director, Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)

The President’s executive actions are fully supported by law. The DAPA and expanded DACA programs will allow millions to come out of the shadows and provide work authorization to approximately 5 million undocumented immigrants. We urge the court to recognize the contributions of these individuals and the overwhelmingly positive impact that the expanded DACA and DAPA programs will have for our economy and for communities across the country.

SIREN | Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network

SIREN’s mission is to empower low-income immigrants and refugees in Santa Clara County through community education and organizing, leadership development, policy advocacy and naturalization services. We believe that all people regardless of legal status or nationality are entitled to essential services, human dignity, basic rights and protections, and access to full participation in society.

As we fight for immigrant and refugee rights, we ask you to consider making a donation or becoming a monthly donor. Your support will directly support free legal services, advocacy work for more just laws, and leadership training for community leaders.

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